Eric Sykes

It was sad to read about the passing of Eric Sykes at lunchtime. A great man who will be missed by many whose lives he has touched in some way. Thankfully like so many in the entertainment business we will always have the legacy of his works to make us smile.

Eric Sykes was probably one of Britain's best-loved comedy actors and writers and I think Stephen Fry summed up the man so well on Twitter when he described him as "An adorable, brilliant, modest, hilarious, innovative and irreplaceable comic master."

Over the years he has graced our both small and big screens. One of the most successful shows being Sykes which stared Eric with the cuddly Hattie Jacques as an unlikely pair of oddly sexless twins, leading gently whimsical lives in Sebastopol Terrace, East Acton. What made it a success was the venerability which he and his costar had in abundance, which allowed you to connect to the characters at an emotional level that made for a gentle sort of humour that became his trademark. 

However he was more than just one series wonder and his genius can be seen in the short silent film he made with the late Tom Copper called "The Plank". He never really retired and carried on working until his death despite various health and physical issues, and he even landed himself in a role in one of the Harry Potter films, "The Goblet of Fire". Thankfully he was work was recognised and over the years he won numerous awards, all of them well deserved.

Like so many I wish to send add my condolences to his family and friends at this sad time. The world has lost a very funny and talented man and I'm sure if it was possible we would thank him for all the laughs he gave us over the years.